The Yorkshire National Park is a thing of beauty full of beautiful villages. From rolling landscapes to hidden, mystical beauty – our region isn’t short of wonderful places to discover. And if you’re looking for a scenic stroll, we’ve got just the spots. More specifically, the most magical waterfall walks where you can enjoy water thundering down huge falls. We regularly visit the Dales and have enjoyed many of its wonderful falls. So, we’ve put together some of the best Yorkshire Dales waterfalls for you to enjoy on your next visit.
There are many waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales, from easily accessible ones from the roadside to ones that require a hike such as the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, and the fabulous circular waterfall walk, Malham, which takes in Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar. All of these offer a unique experience and are well worth the effort of exploring the Dales and hunting them out.
So, what are the best Yorkshire Dales waterfalls to visit?
1. Janet’s Foss, Malham
One of our favourite waterfalls in the UK, Janet’s Foss is easily accessible and can be found tucked away just off a country road near the famous Gordale Scar. It’s a short walk from the quaint village of Malham.
If you love waterfalls in the Yorkshire dales then this popular wild swimming spot, allegedly named after a fairy queen who lived in a cave behind the waterfall, is perfect. How magical? It’s one of the most popular, so it’s best to get there early for the best photographs and a quiet swim.
2. Aysgarth Falls, Leyburn
One of Yorkshire’s most popular water spots, Aysgarth Falls is a trio of small waterfalls on the River Ure. Easily accessible from the village of Aysgarth, you’ll likely have seen this pretty little spot on Instagram before – with many flocking to see the Yorkshire Dales waterfalls every single year.
You can park at the Aysgarth visitors centre and take a short walk up the upper falls, which were made famous by Kevin Costner in the motion picture Robin Hood.
The middle and lower falls are back the other way across the road and are just a short walk through the woodland. You can have a little paddle at the upper falls and in between the lower and middle falls as well.
3. Linton Falls, Grassington
Everything about this Yorkshire Dales waterfall is beautiful. Found just a five-minute walk down from the Grassington car park (National Park Centre), you traverse between two traditional stone walls, which are synonymous with the area and create a beautiful symmetry that many photographers love to capture on the way down to the walk. Once you reach Linton Falls, it is framed by the wooden bridge that overlooks it.
From a little downriver, you get a magical picture of the falls, which is overlooked by a precariously perched house. Every time you visit the falls you get a different feeling. Whether after a storm where you get a feeling of awe at its sheer power as the river thrashes down, or in the summertime when the flowers are in bloom and the river idles along leaving visitors to wonder how it ever carved its way through.
3. Kisdon Force, Swaledale
Ok, so Kisdon Force isn’t just one waterfall. It’s a series of Yorkshire Dales waterfalls on the stunning River Swale – making it a great spot if chasing waterfalls is your thing. Situated near Keld, the waterfalls vary in size, dropping ten metres in total.
Located in the emerald green woodland in the heart of the dales, they’re some of the most beautiful in the UK, and another great one for a spot of wild swimming, which the Yorkshire Dales is wonderful for – especially in the summer months.
4. Catrake Force, Keld
Another beauty in Keld, Catrake Force is a four-step waterfall, just downstream from another beauty spot, Wain Wath Force with the next Yorkshire Dales waterfall downriver from it being the Kidson Waterfall which we wrote about above. Located on the River Swale, this one’s not completely accessible – but you can get to it via the Rukin’s campsite in Keld.
One of the most attractive Yorkshire Dales waterfalls, the Swaledale spot has a fall of 30ft in total and the largest single drop of the series is 20ft. It’s situated a short distance just off the Pennine Way trail outside of the village of Keld.
5. Posforth Gill, Bolton Abbey
This little gem, Posforth Gill, is tucked away on the estate of Bolton Abbey, which sits on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. After you’ve had your run on the iconic stepping stones, head into the woodland towards Simon’s Seat – and this gem is hidden just off the track down into the woodland.
It has. a lovely plunge pool for you to take a dip in if the weather is nice and warm and is a real hidden gem that you have to seek out to find, which makes it even cooler when you do. You can park up at Bolton Abbey and walk through the woodland towards to wonderful Yorkshire Dale waterfall.
6. Ingleton Waterfall Trail, Ingleton
Thornton Force is pictured above and is part of the popular Ingleton Waterfalls Walk, dropping 46 feet into the River Twiss. The impressive sight is arguably the highlight of the trail (which officially opened in 1885) and one of the best waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales, and joins Pecca Falls, Pecca Twin Falls, and Holly Bush Spout on the 4.3-mile circular route.
7. Scaleber Foss, Settle
One of Settle’s hidden gems, Scaleber Force can be found deep in a wooded area of the dales, around 1.5 miles away from Settle village. But the best part about this Yorkshire Dales waterfall? You don’t even need to walk to it – and you can actually park nearby to check out this beauty. See the waterfall from above from Scaleber Woods, or head down to its pool to view it in all of its glory.
8. Hull Pot, Horton-in-Ribblesdale
The Yorkshire Dales spot, Hull Pot is a cool sight to see, and while it’s not technically a waterfall if you visit it after a heavy rainfall, you’ll get to see the water flowing over into the collapsed cavern. If you visit in dry weather, you won’t need to miss out either, as the water resurfaces in the pot itself from the nearby beck.
One of the most unique hidden waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales, the wonderous hole in the ground looks incredible when the water flows in full force. The dramatic fall is great for photographers to take pictures – and sometimes it even fills up after a lot of rainfall.
9. Catrigg Force, Settle
Visited by the composer Edward Elgar And friends who praised the 6-metre high waterfall Catrigg Force and visited various times, it’s the perfect secluded spot to enjoy this summer. It’s found just a short distance from the village, which is just north of Settle, where you can park up and enjoy a circular walk to the dramatic Yorkshire waterfall Catrigg Falls.
The falls are only a couple of miles from Stainforth village and are some of the best waterfalls in the Yorkshire dales – perfect for those who enjoy wild swimming. The falls found in the wooded gorge have a beautiful beck that flows into it and is a great hidden gem to enjoy a dip before continuing on to a walk in the hills.
10. Cautley Spout Waterfall, Sedbergh
Cautley Spout in the Yorkshire Dales is one for the bucket list. Found on the western edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, it’s the highest cascading waterfall in England and is a dramatic sight as it tumbles down the cliff face into the Cautley Holme Beck.
You’ll be able to experience some lush landscape as well as some beautiful views at the summit of Calsders and Lakeland Falls whilst you make your way on one of the best
Yorkshire Dales waterfalls walk.
You can park up at the Cross Keys pub – and then follow signs for Cautley Spout and head over the River Rothay. It’s quite easy to walk to the base of the falls. Make sure you take in the view of the valley.
11. Wain Wath Force, Keld
Located on the River Swale, set in the Swaledale region of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This Yorkshire Dales waterfall sits upstream from the village of Keld, in a hollow below Kisdon Falls. It’s around 1100ft above sea level and boasts some fantastic views of the surrounding valley and hills.
There are three other Yorkshire Dales waterfalls in the region with Wain Wath Force. Kisdon as I already mentioned, East Gill Force, and Catrake Force – so you could go on a waterfall hunt in the region if you so wished.
12. Mill Gill Falls, Askrigg
This Yorkshire Dales waterfalls walk is an absolute hidden gem. Mill Gill Force is a picturesque waterfall that is just a short walk outside the village of Askrigg, but remains relatively unknown. The village is famous for the setting of James Herriott’s original All Creatures Great and Small TV series.
The walk is well signposted through the woodlands just outside of the Yorkshire Dales village and involves some uphill walking and navigation of some of the tiniest gates we’ve ever seen. There are a couple of other waterfalls along the way as well.
13. Rutter Force Waterfall, Appleby-in-Westmorland
The Eden catchment boasts numerous breathtaking waterfalls, and among them, Rutter Force near Appleby-in-Westmorland stands out as exceptionally stunning. Adjacent to this mesmerizing cascade lies a charming old mill with a rich history.
Dating back to 1579, this mill originally served the purpose of grinding corn. Over time, it transformed, functioning as a sawmill before being repurposed for bobbin manufacturing.
In the year 1926, a turbine was installed, aiming to provide electricity to the nearby village of Great Asby. However, its reliability left much to be desired. Nevertheless, it remained the sole electricity source for the village until 1952 when the National Grid was introduced.
So, there you have it. Our guide to the Yorkshire Dales waterfalls that you need to visit. Whether you want a hidden gem, an awe-inspiring sight, or just a nice walkout with scenic views, then these are for you. The Dales is full of magical waterfalls, that are located near some of the stunning villages of the Yorkshire Dales. You’re sure to have a fantastic time on your next
The Yorkshire National Park is a thing of beauty. From rolling landscapes to hidden, mystical beauty – our region isn’t short of wonderful places to discover. And if you’re looking for a scenic stroll, we’ve got just the spots. More specifically, the most magical waterfall walks where you can enjoy water thundering down huge falls. We regularly visit the Dales and have enjoyed many of its wonderful falls. So, we’ve put together some of the best Yorkshire Dales waterfalls for you to enjoy on your next visit.
Read more: 14 Of The Best And Most Scenic River Walks In Yorkshire
[Featured image: Aysgarth High Force/Wikimedia Commons/Wehha/licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0]
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